Ravens' Haloti Ngata fined $15,000 for hit on Jets' Mark Sanchez

Doug Kapustin/MCTThe NFL determined that Haloti Ngata led with his helmet on this strip sack of Mark Sanchez.

After Sunday night's 34-17 loss in Baltimore, Rex Ryan said he thought Ravens tackle Haloti Ngata led with his helmet on his second-quarter strip sack of Mark Sanchez. The Jets coach was right.

Ngata was fined $15,000 by the NFL for roughing the passer, according to a person with knowledge of the fine levied. Specifically, he was fined for lowering his head and striking Sanchez on the pass play.

That person requested anonymity because the league has not announced its fines.

No penalty was assessed in the game. That play led to one of the Ravens' three defensive touchdowns, a 26-yard fumble recovery by Jarret Johnson that gave Baltimore a 27-7 lead over the Jets.

The play was reviewed to determine if it was in fact a fumble and not an incomplete pass. After the referee's roundabout explanation to uphold the fumble ruling, Ryan burned a time out. He said he wanted a clearer explanation but also indicated he saw an illegal hit by Ngata.

"I thought Haloti actually hit him in the back with his helmet first, but that being said, he made a great play," Ryan said.